The Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Nicholas Ojehomon in the trial of a former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, narrated before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, how the defendant paid his children’s school fees in dollars and in advance until their graduation.

The witness, an internal auditor in the American International School, Abuja , AISA, who stated that though he didn’t know Yahaya Bello in person, said he was aware that he was a parent to children enrolled in the school.

“I did not know the defendant personally, but I am aware that he is a parent of children enrolled in our school,” he said. Upon reviewing the school’s admission letters, the witness identified the defendant’s children as Zayan Bello, Zara Bello, Farid Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Nana Fatima Bello. He also confirmed that each child was admitted in different academic years. His examination of Exhibit 12, which is the agreement for prepaid tuition fees, revealed that Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s cousin had contacted the school in 2021 to pay the children’s fees in advance until their graduation.

Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN tendered a set of documents in evidence that included certified copies of the AISA admission letters to the defendant’s children, a contractual agreement for prepaid tuition until graduation, teller copies of payments, email correspondences between Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s cousin and the school, as well as statements of account from TD Bank USA and the American International School. There was no objection from the defence counsel, and the court admitted the documents as exhibits.

When asked about the payments made, the witness confirmed that significant sums were paid for each child. According to him, Farid Bello’s fees amounted to $90,074, Zara Bello’s to $87,470, Na’ima Bello’s to $26,241, and Nana Bello’s to $18,707.

The prosecution also presented Exhibit 17, a letter from the American International School to the EFCC requesting a valid account number for the refund of the fees. The document indicated two amounts: $845,082.84 and $750,910.84, with the latter sum earmarked for a refund to the EFCC. Exhibit 18, which is a letter from the EFCC to AISA, showed that the refund was to be made in a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.

Earlier, the Second Prosecution Witness, PW2, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), who testified under subpoena presented documents, including a statement of account belonging to the Kogi State Government House. The statement, marked as Exhibit 8, showed a total credit of N53.56 billion and a total debit of N53.55 billion between January 2019 and December 2020.

During cross-examination, the PW2 confirmed that several N10 million withdrawals were made in favour of one Abdulsalam Hudu on December 12, 2018. She further stated that the transactions were done using cheques, processed over the counter.

The prosecution counsel, during re-examination of PW2, clarified that Exhibit 2P1, being the certificate of compliance, was signed on behalf of Edward Bamanga, being the relevant bank official, thus confirming the authenticity of the financial documents. “All records presented are verifiable and were duly obtained in line with legal procedures,” the prosecution counsel stated.

The defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, bickered that the witness as an Abuja-based compliance officer of UBA could scrutinize an account, domiciled in Lokoja Branch of her bank.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till Friday, March 7, 2025 for continuation of trial.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

The Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday received the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the Executive Council Chamber in Owerri. The delegation, led by NDDC Chairman Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the State’s Board Representative, Hon. Dr. Kyrian Uchegbu Ph.D, was on an official visit to discuss ongoing and upcoming developmental projects in the state.

During the meeting, the Governor commended the NDDC for its commitment to teamwork and proficiency in managing projects. He particularly praised their diligence in executing contracts and exploring innovative ways to enhance infrastructural development across the Niger Delta region.

He expressed his appreciation for the NDDC’s steadfast focus under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that drive progress and enhance the well-being of the people of Imo State.

“We are grateful for the NDDC’s dedication to development and teamwork. Their proficiency has introduced new ways of managing projects, and their diligence in contract execution is commendable,” the Governor stated.
The meeting further reinforced the partnership between the Imo State Government and the NDDC, ensuring that critical projects aimed at improving infrastructure and fostering regional growth remain a priority.

The delegation led by their NDDC Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, announced the first-ever Niger Delta Sports Festival, scheduled to hold from April 2nd to April 8th in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This historic event is expected to foster unity and promote sports development among the states in the Niger Delta.

#HopeNewAndElectronicMediaCenter

A Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Supreme Court judgment on the political crisis in Rivers State has shed light on why the apex court restored the leadership of the State House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule.

The judgment stated: “What is clear from the above concurrent findings is that the 8th respondent (Fubara) initiated the prevention of sittings of the Rivers State House of Assembly, constituted by the number of members as prescribed by Section 96 of the 1999 Constitution, long before the issue of the remaining 27 members defecting to another political party arose.

“The said activities of the 8th respondent (Fubara) were adjudged by the concurrent holdings of the Court of Appeal in its judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 as illegal and unconstitutional long before the allegation of defection started.

“Against the background of these concurrent findings and holdings in the Court of Appeal judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024, it is reasonable to conclude that the cross-appellant’s reliance on Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution and the doctrine of necessity is intended to continue his brazen subversion of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 1999 Constitution, and legitimate government in Rivers State.

“Having, by his own admission, engaged in a series of illegal activities aimed at preventing the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from participating in the House’s proceedings and carrying out their legitimate legislative duties, his resort to Sections 102 and 109 of the 1999 Constitution and the doctrine of necessity on the basis of his allegation that they have defected is a red herring to perpetuate his subversion of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 1999 Constitution, and democratic government in Rivers State.

“The 8th respondent (Fubara) had effectively collapsed the Rivers State House of Assembly. Therefore, no question about any member having lost his seat due to defection can validly arise. There must be a functioning House of Assembly for any constitutional processes therein to take place.

“The claim that the 27 members are no longer members of the House on the basis of alleged defection is a continuation of his determination to prevent them from participating in the proceedings of the House. It is an engagement in chicanery.

“Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution cannot be invoked in aid of this unconstitutional enterprise. Section 102 of the Constitution, which provides that ‘A House of Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership and the presence of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the House shall not invalidate such proceedings,’ cannot be relied upon to validate the proceedings of a House of Assembly in the absence of over 90% of its members. Neither can it justify a vacancy created by the illegal exclusion of members, nor justify the contrived illegal exclusion of 27 members and officials from the House, the illegal shutting down of the House, the destruction of the legislative building, or the blocking of access to the House by legislators and officials.

“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that constitute a state government under the 1999 Constitution. In this case, the Executive arm has chosen to collapse the Legislature, allowing the Governor to rule without legislative oversight, effectively as a despot. As it stands, there is no functioning government in Rivers State.

“The doctrine of necessity cannot be invoked to justify the continued existence of a deliberately contrived illegal or unconstitutional status quo. It cannot be used to justify or protect the illegal actions of the 8th respondent and his despotic rule over Rivers State.

“It applies only to genuine situations that were not contemplated by the Constitution or any law, where extraordinary but legitimate actions are required to protect the public interest.

“The 8th respondent’s fear of impeachment by the House of Assembly is no justification for his attacks on the Legislature, the Constitution, the Government of Rivers State, and the rule of law.

“Political disagreements cannot justify these attacks and contempt for the rule of law by the Governor of a State or any person. What the 8th respondent has done is to destroy the government due to his fear of being impeached.

“In light of the foregoing, I hold that Cross-Appeal No. SC/CV/1175A/2024 lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.

“The part of the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is hereby affirmed. The said judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is hereby restored.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby ordered that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation should forthwith stop releasing and paying to the Government of Rivers State, its organs, departments, and officials any money belonging to Rivers State until an Appropriation Law is enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly, constituted as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution.

“The Rt. Honourable Martin Chike Amaewhule and the other 26 members should forthwith resume sitting, unhindered, as Speaker and members, respectively, of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The Rivers State House of Assembly should resume sitting with all elected members forthwith.”